The Werewolf

Chapter 6: Avoiding

Jackson made his way slowly back to the house. After walking out of the woods with Carson, he had taken him to his car that was still in the hotel parking lot. Jackson had climbed in, and began to drive home. He was exhausted and was praying that his mother would be asleep. He just wasn’t in the mood to deal with her questions just yet.

However, he had something that was worrying him more than his mother. What was he going to say to Rosie? Would she ever forgive him for bailing on her? More importantly, would it be worth it to even keep seeing her? He shouldn’t be putting her at risk. He was going to be put in difficult situations, and battling with who knows what, and not to mention the fact that every full moon he grew fur and fangs.

He had never been this exhausted before. He could feel it in his bones. He was covered in bruises, and every part of his body hurt. Finally he made it to his house, and up to his room without waking his mother.

Gratefully, he climbed up the stairs and into his bed. Sleep came easily, and before he knew it he had succumbed to the darkness.

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He awoke several hours’ later, feeling as if he had been hit by a truck. He rolled over and was greeted by the sunlight streaming through the blinds. He groaned, and buried himself further underneath his blankets.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

“Come on in.” He croaked, pulling his head from out of the blankets. His mother entered, and came and sat down on the corner of his bed.

“Hi sweetheart.” She said softly.

“Hi mom.” He smiled weakly.

“You must’ve had a good time.” Jackson slowly pulled himself up and sat up.

“You have no idea.”

“Good. I’m glad you had a good time. You’ve deserved it. Especially after the accident and how sick you’ve been.”

“There’s no need to dwell on that now, mom. I am alive and well.”

“I know. I’ve just been so worried about you. I’m a mom, its what I do.” Jackson pulled her into a hug.

“Please try not to worry too much. I’ll be okay.”

“So, how was the dance?” She asked, changing the subject.

“It was a lot of fun.”

“How was Rosie?” His mother knew about his infatuation with Rosie and had known since he was a 5th grader.

“She’s practically perfect… In every way.” He said, smiling wistfully.

“Sounds like someone is a little smitten.” She teased.

“I really like her, mom.”

“I know you do. I’ve known since you were a little boy.” He gave her a look, and she laughed.

“She is so kind, and sweet, and lets not forget, stunning. She doesn’t deserve a guy like me.”

“And why not?” She demanded.

“I dunno, mom. I’m just no good for her. I don’t even have that much to offer her. I’m just a small, scrawny, nerdy kid.”     Not to mention that every full moon from now until I die, I will turn into a wolf. No mother would want their daughter to date a werewolf. He thought to himself.  

“Jackson, you are one of the best kids out there.”

 “You have to say that. You’re my mother.”